Audi has chosen Munich as its launch pad for the company's new electric vehicle effort. They are planning to roll out 20 of its A1 hatchbacks as part of a research project with the Technical University of Munich. The cars will be powered by an electric motor with the equivalent of around 102 horsepower, which should give the vehicles a top speed of 81 mph. In city driving, a lithium-ion battery pack can keep the electrified A1 going for a total of 31 miles, though past that there's a small Wankel rotary engine on board to recharge the battery packs and keep things moving.

With the help of the small gasoline engine, the A1 e-tron can cover an additional 124 miles for a combined range of 155 miles depending on driving habits. Audi says this set up provides the equivalent of 148.7 mpg, though we're not sure if that imperial or U.S. gallons. Either way, that's a sizable fuel economy number.

A total of 200 electric charging stations have been set up throughout Munich as a part of the program, which is funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport.

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